preparing your house for professional cleaners

Solid surface countertops are quickly gaining popularity due to their beautiful aesthetics and durability. If you decide to get these types of countertops installed in your home, the following tips will help you keep them clean and maintained.

Avoid Using the Following Materials

The first thing you should know about maintaining and cleaning your solid surface countertops is what should never be used on them. You most likely know you shouldn't use any abrasive materials, such as metal pads, steel wool, sandpaper, and scouring pads. You also want to avoid using any of the following products or materials:

• Any type of glue, including super glue and epoxy
• Chemical strippers like paint remover and rust remover
• Strong appliance cleaners
• Chemical or abrasive cleaners, especially those containing alkaline or acidic properties
• Solvents like lacquer thinner or acetone

General Cleaning Tips

The best way to keep your countertops clean and looking good for a long period of time is by cleaning up spills immediately. You don't want to use any harsh chemicals on your countertops, but warm water and a mild liquid detergent will work perfectly for cleaning up spills and preventing stains. Use the soapy water and a soft sponge or towel to wipe up the spills, then use a clean water rinse once that is done. Other cleaning products you can use include an ammonia-based cleaner that is non-abrasive or a commercial cleaning spray that is labeled for solid surface countertops. If you need to scrub something on the countertop, use a softer abrasive item, such as a towel or the scrubbing side of a regular sponge. Don't use a scouring sponge or metal sponge. 

Disinfect Your Countertops

You should also disinfect your solid surface countertops on a regular basis. This will give it a good deep cleaning that removes bacteria and germs that might be lingering. For disinfecting, a bleach and water mixture is safe to use on these types of countertops. Try to aim for one part water and one part bleach. Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and spray it on the countertops. Use a soft sponge or cloth to wipe it away, then rinse it right away with water. 

Ongoing Maintenance

For maintenance of your solid surface countertops, the best thing to do is to be careful how you treat your countertops. For example, you should never use heat directly on the countertops. Don't lace hot pots and pans on the countertops; place them on a trivet or pot holder at least. For appliances that sit on the countertop, place something underneath them so they aren't resting on the countertops, such as your microwave and toaster oven. Never use a knife directly on the countertop's surface. Use a cutting board.

To learn more about commercial cleaning, contact a company like Aviat Commercial Cleaners Corp.